John J. Krupinski

John was born in Sheri-dan, NY on April 17, 1932, the son of the late John P. and Katherine (Kopacz) Krupinski.

John was educated in Sheridan School District #9 and Dunkirk Industrial School #10 as a machinist and gas/electric welder. He also graduated from the Na-tional School of Heavy Equipment Operation in Charlotte, NC, the National Locksmith Institute of Lit-tle Falls, NJ, and Anthony’s Semi-truck driving school of Buffalo, NY.

Mr. Krupinski served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War retiring with more than 20 years of ac-tive service. Prior to enter-ing the Air Force, John was a member of the U.S. Naval Reserve in Dunkirk, NY. His extensive career with the U.S. Air Force enabled him to visit 44 countries and 6 continents world-wide. He lived in and ex-plored many countries for several years each including England, Germany, Guam, Vietnam, and several is-lands in the South Pacific. His love of travel and meet-ing new people from around the world built many friendships that last-ed a lifetime. He enjoyed sharing stories from his travels and global experi-ence with friends, family, and everyone he met.

After retiring from the Air Force in 1970, John started a new job with The Ralston Purina Company in Dunkirk where he also re-tired after another 22 years of service. Always keeping busy, he then worked as a driver for Hills Trucking and Poland Builders as a carpenter in Fredonia.

In his free time, his hob-bies included operating a grape farm, riding motorcy-cles, flying single engine aircraft, woodworking, traveling, repairing small engines, and working on in-ventions. He is the holder of one patent and could often be found tinkering and repairing mechanical devices to improve their performance and efficien-cy.

In 1948, while visiting Chautauqua County Fair at age 16, John borrowed a bi-cycle from a young boy and took 1st place in the Senior bicycle race (age 16+) re-ceiving a medal and trophy. His competitiveness and craftsmanship throughout life earned him much recognition including the construction of a wooden tabernacle for St. Joseph’s Church using antique sal-vaged wood from the early 1900s. It is still in use today located behind the altar and can be viewed and appre-ciated for many generations to come.

John was a member of St. Joseph’s Church, Fredonia, the American Legion Post #1 of Paris, France, the VFW Post #6390 in Sheri-dan, and the Air Force Ser-geants Association. He was also a past member and secretary of the Oxnard Air Force Base (AFB) Aero Club in California.

Surviving are his three sons, Robert (Lena) Kru-pinski of Cordova, TN, James (Kristen) Krupinski of Bath, OH, and Richard (Amber) Krupinski of Raleigh, NC; one brother, Henry Krupinski of Silver Creek; one sister, Sister Monica Krupinski, SSJ, of Clarence; five grandchil-dren, Anna, Jacqueline, Kari, Madelyn, and Noah Krupinski; and several nieces, nephews, great- nieces, and great-nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was prede-ceased by his wife, Barbara Krupinski (Rahn), six brothers, Anthony, Micha-el, Peter, Frank, George, and Joseph Krupinski; five sisters, Agnes Krupinski , Mrs. Mary Mattingly, Mrs. Stephanie Mahoney, Mrs. Helen Fetter, and Sister Victoria Krupinski, SSJ.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated Friday morn-ing at 10 o’clock in St. Joseph Church, 145 East Main Street, Fredonia. Full Military Honors will be ac-corded by the Dunkirk Joint Veterans Council Honor Guard. Calling hours will be held Thursday from 4-8 p.m. at the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Sheri-dan, NY.

Memorials may be made in his honor to Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care, 20 W. Fairmount Avenue, Lakewood, NY 14750 or Ohio Living Home Health and Hospice, 83 N. Miller Rd., Suite 101, Akron, OH 44333.